The new North American Soccer League is unfortunately often overlooked even though the talent level is not that far behind Major League Soccer. The new NASL began play just over a year ago and is officially second in the American/Canadian soccer pyramid. The old Tampa Bay Rowdies (who existed from 1975–1993) played in the old NASL (which lasted from 1968–1984) and are now playing in the new NASL as well.

Canadian international Andres Arango (formerly with the Toronto Lynx and Montreal Impact) plays for the Rowdies and is one of the rare Canadians in the league (not including FC Edmonton of course). In this interview, we talk about Canadian soccer – from MLS to NASL and CSL to USL.

Djuradj Vujcic: To start off, can you tell me a little about your beginnings in Medellín, Colombia? How and when did you know you will be moving to Canada?

Andres Arango: My family got the opportunity to move to Canada when I was about 5-6 years old. My dad got a great job opportunity and thought it would be a great opportunity for our family. I was very young and it was really hard for me and my brother to get used to the whole change. The language barrier was the hardest therefore making it hard to make friends early on but soccer is the international language that brings people together and I loved to play. I remember during gym class we played “futbol” as I called it then and I really made all my friends after showing my skill with the ball.

Djuradj Vujcic: Very nice to hear. You went on to play college soccer for Humber College. What was it like playing with the Hawks?

Andres Arango: The Humber Hawks I joined after graduating highschool. I knew a couple of the coaches and some of the players who persuaded me in joining what was already a good team. I was already with the Canadian national program and training with the U-20 team so I wanted to make sure I was close to home and in a good soccer environment and Humber College was the perfect fit. We ended up winning the Provincial and National Championship and I was voted MVP of the national tournament.

Djuradj Vujcic: In 2011, FC Tampa Bay and the NASL in general started going back to their old NASL roots. How has it been playing for the Rowdies – with the same coloured jerseys and league of the same name as the great NASL of the seventies and eighties?

Andres Arango: In 2011, we were called FC Tampa Bay since the ownership didn’t have the rights to use the Rowdies name. Although when I signed here, I was always signing for the Rowdies. Everyone still called us Rowdies even though our name was FC Tampa Bay. They have been the pioneers of soccer in this country and it’s an honour to be able to wear the green and yellow that so many people remember and respect.

Andres Arango: I’ve been lucky to have some pretty good coaches throughout my career. I have to say Ricky Hill is at the top of the list. His way is different than any other coach I’ve ever had. He is a players’ coach meaning he understands what his players are feeling or wanting. He loves to work on technique and 1-2 touches. He is Jamaican/English but likes to play a possession game. Goalkeeper coach Slobodan “Chobo” Janjus is a great guy as well – we don’t get to do much with him but he is a great goalie coach. The guy is around 60 and still flies through the air like he’s 23!

Djuradj Vujcic: You’ve played for the Canadian under-20 and under-23 teams. Do you still have national team soccer in mind?

Andres Arango: I would always love to get a call-up for the national team. I feel that I am in my prime now and have grown and learned so much the past couple of years that I feel I can show the CSA if I had the opportunity. But there are a lot of players in the pool and I know it’s a tough journey especially playing in a league that doesn’t get much recognition.

Djuradj Vujcic: Now when you say the NASL doesn’t get much recognition, I’d have to agree with you (unfortunately). Officially, it’s one step behind MLS but what can be done, in your opinion, for the NASL to get a little more respect – respect that it deserves?

Andres Arango: I think the biggest problem is that the league is not shown on TV locally or nationally. It is hard to get fans out to the game because no one is aware that a 2nd division league exists. It is a growing process and I think now the NASL is taking the proper steps in slowly building the 2nd division which I think is a great level of soccer and can easily compete with most MLS teams.

Djuradj Vujcic: The Toronto Lynx were at the top of the pyramid (in the now defunct USL-1) when you played for them. Can today’s NASL compare to today’s USL Pro?

Andres Arango: I was traded to the Lynx from the Montreal Impact in 2004. For me, it was a great move because it got me playing time right away. In Montreal we had a solid back-four line which were all playing together for a while. Breaking the line up was tough. When I got to the Lynx I was brought in as a starter and there was a lot of pressure for me to do well and I strived on that. I won Defender of the Year two years in a row and then got the call back from Montreal Impact after the Lynx had folded due to monetary issues. As to your question comparing the NASL and USL, I feel that the NASL is a couple of steps ahead of the USL. The NASL is striving for bigger and better things as where I feel the USL is happy where they are. I feel the USL of the past and the NASL of today are very similar in the competitive aspect and the need to become a better league and to develop players for MLS and the national programs.

Djuradj Vujcic: Did the Lynx fold due to monetary issues or because of the rise of Toronto FC? Speaking of TFC, wouldn’t it make sense for them to take a shot and sign you?

Andres Arango: I think the Lynx were aware of TFC and obviously they felt it would be hard to compete. I think it was a little bit of both of them not being able to afford a team and there was no sense trying to compete with TFC. It has always been a dream of mine to hopefully play for Toronto FC. I kind of have fallen off the radar since playing in Minnesota for the Thunder and Stars. Like I said earlier, this league does not get a lot of recognition and national team coaches cannot follow how I am doing. I hope to have a stand-out season this year and hopefully make a name for myself and get the opportunity to play for TFC one day.

Djuradj Vujcic: I wish you luck, Andres! Now, if you could choose, what is your preferred position in defense?

Andres Arango: I like centre-back. I like to make sure my defense is organized. I feel I read the game well from centre-back. I don’t have the speed to fully recover out on the left or right but I make up for it with my positioning and reading of the game.

Djuradj Vujcic: Do you feel that (starting with Toronto then Vancouver and now Montreal) – do you feel that more Canadian clubs in a mostly American league is good for Canadian soccer?

Andres Arango: Any teams in a professional league are going to help develop players. I feel a system needs to be put in place like Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto have done but I still feel they need to look for players all around Canada because there is a lot of talent out there. There are a lot of Canadians playing in the NASL and the USL and I feel those players should be given a fair chance at making those teams.

Djuradj Vujcic: Do you consider Toronto or Montreal your “home town” so to speak?

Andres Arango: I do consider Toronto my home town. My parents and siblings are there. I don’t get to go back as often as I would like. I go for Christmas or special occasions. I will be in Toronto in August for my brother’s wedding. I am looking forward to going back and seeing everyone and especially visiting all of the soccer community which I truly miss and visiting the Soccer Centre in Vaughan where I used to spend most of my time. But so far, my wife and I love it here in Tampa Bay and we call this our home for now!

Djuradj Vujcic: What is with the fluorescent green and yellow socks and where can I get a pair?

Andres Arango: That can easily be taken care of! It’s a Rowdie tradition but as a player (laughs) I don't really like them! The socks are a must have for a Rowdies supporter though.

Djuradj Vujcic: Do you think that the NASL could benefit from more Canadian teams? Maybe TFC Academy could be upgraded to the NASL?

Andres Arango: I think it would be a great idea for more Canadian teams to be in the NASL. I know Ottawa is joining in two years. I think the NASL and MLS should work together to get the Reserve teams playing against NASL teams during the season. I think both leagues would benefit by this. NASL would benefit by having MLS teams (although Reserves but still MLS players) play in their stadiums. MLS will benefit by having opportunities to really see the talent in the NASL and have their players play competitive competition.

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